Ethiopia's NISS Indefinitely Bans All Drone Flights in Addis Ababa and Surrounding Areas

Ethiopia's National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) has announced an indefinite ban on all drone flights and similar aerial devices in Addis Ababa and its surrounding areas. Issued via a official statement, the agency confirmed that no permits will be granted for any drone operations until further notice. NISS cited Proclamation No. 1276/2014 as its legal basis, stating the measure is necessary to protect critical infrastructure and maintain national security. The security agency noted that anti-drone technology is actively being deployed to monitor, intercept, and bring down unauthorized drones. While NISS did not explicitly state the specific trigger for the decision, the announcement follows a resurgence of conflict between federal forces and TPLF fighters. Previously, operators could fly drones by securing prior approval through detailed disclosures regarding flight purpose, area, and equipment models.